Collapsible Cup System

ABSTRACT

A novel collapsible cup system that has a cup, a lid, a straw, and a band. The collapsible cup system in the collapsed or dosed form, is more easily stored, better for transport of the collapsible cup system, and prevents the loss or misplacement of the different parts or components of the collapsible cup system. In the closed form, the collapsible cup system has a smaller footprint, which saves storage space. The smaller footprint also allows easier transport of the collapsible cup system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application No. 29/731,224, filed Apr. 13, 2020, and entitled “Collapsible Cup,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel collapsible cup system. The collapsible cup system in the collapsed or closed form, is more easily stored, better for transport of the collapsible cup system, and prevents the loss or misplacement of the different parts or components of the collapsible cup system. In the closed form, the collapsible cup system has a smaller footprint, which saves storage space. For example, three or four closed form collapsible cups stacked together may take the same or less space than one traditional cup that cannot collapse. The smaller footprint also allows easier transport of the collapsible cup system. For example, a collapsible cup system in the closed form may fit better in a purse, a backpack, a gym bag, etc, Another advantage is this novel collapsible cup system may be stored together, where the straw is stored within the cup, and in the closed form, the band wraps around the cup with the lid on. As a result, the band keeps the cup, lid and straw together in one collapsed package.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible cup system comprises a cup, which comprises a top section, a first collapsible section, a middle section, a second collapsible section, and a base section. The top section, middle section, and base section are more rigid than the first collapsible section and the second collapsible section. The top section tapers towards the first collapsible section. The first collapsible section tapers towards the middle section. The middle section tapers towards the second collapsible section. The second collapsible section tapers towards the base section. The cup may be in a dosed form or an open form. The base section is configured to be nestled within the middle section in the dosed form. The middle section is configured to be nestled within the top section in the dosed form.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible cup system further comprises a lid. The lid is configured to be secured to the top section.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the lid comprises an aperture, a central hub, and a cap. The cap comprises an arm and a nub. The arm is rotatably attached to the lid. The nub is configured to be secured to the aperture.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the arm is removably attached to the lid.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible cup system further comprises a straw.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the straw is configured to fit through the aperture.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the straw is configured to be nestled within the base section.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible cup system further comprises a band. The band is configured to wrap around the cup in the closed form.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the band is configured to wrap around the middle section in the open form.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the top section, middle section, and base section are thicker than the first collapsible section and the second collapsible section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL. VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the collapsible cup system with the cup in the open form, the lid open, with the straw inserted through the lid and into the cup, and the band around the middle section (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View);

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the collapsible cup system with the cup in the open form, the lid closed, and the band around the middle section (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View);

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the collapsible cup system with the cup in the closed form and the band around the cup (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View);

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the collapsible cup system with the cup in the open form with the lid closed (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View);

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the collapsible cup system with the cup in the open form with the lid open (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View);

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the collapsible cup system with the cup in the closed form with the lid closed (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View);

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the cup in the open form (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, Bx. Cross-Section View, taken along A-A, C. Perspective View);

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of the cup in the closed form (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View, D. Bottom Plan View);

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the collapsible cup system with the cup in the closed form with the straw nestled in the cup (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View, D. Bottom Plan View);

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of the lid closed (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View, D. Bottom Plan View);

FIG. 11 is an embodiment of the lid open (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View, D. Bottom Plan View);

FIG. 12 is an embodiment of the cap of the lid closed (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View, D. Bottom Plan View);

FIG. 13 is an embodiment the band (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View);

FIG. 14 is an embodiment of the straw (A. Top Plan View, B. Front Elevational View, C. Perspective View);

For clarity purposes, all reference numerals may not be included in every figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present relates to a collapsible cup system 100 comprising a cup 110, a lid 120, a straw 130, and a band 140, as illustrated in the figures. The cup 110 comprises a top section 111, a first collapsible section 112, a middle section 113, a second collapsible section 114, and a base section 115, as shown in FIG. 7. The top section 111, middle section 113, and base section 115 are more rigid than the first collapsible section 112 and the second collapsible section 113. The differences in rigidity may be due to the type of materials used, for example, the top 111, middle 113, and base 115 sections may be composed of a material that is more rigid than the material that the first collapsible 112 and the second collapsible 113 sections are composed of. Alternatively, the differences in rigidity may be due to the type of materials used, for example, the top 111, middle 113, and base 115 sections may be thicker than the first collapsible 112 and the second collapsible 113 sections, as shown in FIG. 73X.

The top section 111 tapers towards the first collapsible section 112. The first collapsible section 112 tapers towards the middle section 113. The middle section 113 tapers towards the second collapsible section 114. The second collapsible section 114 tapers towards the base section 115, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 4-5 and 7.

The cup 110 may be in a closed form 200 (FIGS. 3, 6, and 8-9) or an open form 300 (FIGS. 1-2, 495 and 7). The closed form 200 may be where the base section 115 is nestled within the middle section 113 and the middle section 113 is nestled within the top section 111. The nestling of the base section 115 within the middle section 113 may be independent of the nestling of the middle section 113 within the top section 111. In other words, the cup 100 may be in a partially open or partially closed form where the base section 115 is nestled within the middle section 113, but the middle section 113 is not nestled within the top section 111, and vice-versa.

This novel design of having the top section 111, middle section 113, and base section 115 being more rigid than the first collapsible section 112 and the second collapsible section 113 allows the cup 110, and having the first collapsible section 112 taper towards the middle section 113, which tapers towards the second collapsible section 114, which tapers towards the base section 115, allows the cup 100 to be collapsible into the closed form 200 when pressure is applied downwards towards the top section 111, upwards toward the base section 114, or both. Advantageously, this novel design allows for a smaller collapsible cup, which is beneficial for transporting and storage.

Furthermore, the first collapsing section 112 and the second collapsible section 114 may be configured into two parts to aid in collapsing the cup 110, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, 4-5 and 7. For example, for each of the first collapsing section 112 and the second collapsible section 114, the upper part may be vertical and the lower part may taper towards the section below.

The collapsible cup system 100 may have an optional lid 120. The lid 120 is configured to be secured to the top section 111 by either friction force or by a screw mechanism. The lid 120, like traditional cup lids, may be utilized to prevent spills, maintain beverage temperatures, etc.

The lid 120 may comprise an aperture 121, a central hub 122, and a cap 123, as shown in FIGS. 1-6. The cap 123 may comprise an arm 123 a and a nub 123 b, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and 12. The arm 123 a may be rotatably attached to the lid 120 at the central hub 122, The nub 123 b may be secured to the aperture 121. Advantageously, the nub 123 b when secured to the aperture 121 prevents spills, maintains beverage temperatures, etc. Additionally, the arm 123 a may be removable from the central hub 122 of the lid 120. This allows many advantages, such as, ease of cleaning, replacing a broken part, etc. The arm 123 a may have an opening (as illustrated in FIG. 12) that attaches to the central hub 122 and the arm 123 a may be made of a suitable material whereby when stretched, the opening widens or enlarges to allow the removal of the arm 123 a from the lid 120. When released, the arm 123 a returns to its unstretched state. Silicon is such a suitable material.

In some embodiments, the lid 120 may have an indentation to match the cap 123 (as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 11), whereby when the nub 123 b is secured to the aperture 121, the top of the lid is on the same plane as the top of the cap 123, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10. The lid 120 is optional as a beverage may be imbibed from the cup 110 without the use of the lid 120.

The collapsible cup system 100 may optionally have a straw 130, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 9 and 12. The straw 130 may fit through the aperture 121, as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the straw 130 may be nestled within the base section 115, as shown in FIG. 9. This provides storage for the straw 130, which aids in storage of the cup 110 and for transport, as well as prevents loss or misplacement of the straw 130. The straw 130 would be made of any suitable material, such as silicon, to allow the straw 130 to be nestled within the base section 115. The straw 130 is optional as a beverage may be imbibed from the cup 110 without the use of the straw 130.

Additionally, the collapsible cup system 100 may further comprise a band 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 13. The band 140 may be wrapped around the cup 110 in the closed form 200, as shown in FIG. 3. Advantageously, the band 140 aids in the storage and transporting of the collapsible cup system 100, as well as prevention of the loss or misplacement of the different components, such as the cup 110, the lid 120, and the straw 130. With the cup 110 in the closed form 200, with the lid 120 attached, and the straw 130 nestled within the cup 110, the band 140 may be utilized to secure all the components together. The band 140 is optional as cup 110 in the closed form 200 may be stored and transported without the use of the band 140.

The band 140 may also be used to wrap around the middle section 113 in the open form 300, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. The advantages of doing so may include a storage for the band 140 when using the cup 110, which prevents the loss or misplacement of the band 140. Additionally, the band 140 may add extra insulation against heat when holding a hot beverage in the cup 110. The band 140 is optional as a beverage may be imbibed from the cup 110 without the use of the band 140. The band 140 may be made of a material that may be stretched to aid in wrapping around the cup 110 in the closed form 200, and when released, the band 140 returns to its original unstretched state. Silicon is such a suitable material.

The collapsible cup system 100 may be made from any suitable material, but preferably, all the components of the collapsible cup system 100 (cup 1110, lid 120, straw 130, band 140) would be made from silicone, even more preferably food grade silicone.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 

I claim:
 1. A collapsible cup system comprising: a cup comprising: a top section; a first collapsible section; a middle section; a second collapsible section; and, a base section; wherein the top section, middle section, and base section are more rigid than the first collapsible section and the second collapsible section; wherein the top section tapers towards the first collapsible section; wherein the first collapsible section tapers towards the middle section; wherein the middle section tapers towards the second collapsible section; wherein the second collapsible section tapers towards the base section; wherein the cup may be in a closed form or an open form; wherein the base section is configured to be nestled within the middle section in the closed form; and, wherein the middle section is configured to be nestled within the top section in the closed form.
 2. The collapsible cup system of claim 1 further comprising: a lid; wherein the lid is configured to be secured to the top section.
 3. The collapsible cup system of claim 2, wherein the lid comprises: an aperture; a central hub; and, a cap; wherein the cap comprises: an arm; and, a nub; wherein the arm is rotatably attached to the central hub; and, wherein the nub is configured to be secured to the aperture.
 4. The collapsible cup system of claim 3, wherein the arm is removably attached to the lid.
 5. The collapsible cup system of claim 3 further comprising: a straw.
 6. The collapsible cup system of claim 5, wherein the straw is configured to fit through the aperture.
 7. The collapsible cup system of claim 5, wherein the straw is configured to be nestled within the base section.
 8. The collapsible cup system of claim 1 further comprising: a band; wherein the band is configured to wrap around the cup in the closed form.
 9. The collapsible cup system of claim 8, wherein the band is configured to wrap around the middle section in the open form.
 10. The collapsible cup system of claim 1, wherein the top section, middle section, and base section are thicker than the first collapsible section and the second collapsible section. 